April 14, 2011

Hazard Alert
Active participation can be costly

Recently a teacher chaperoning a student ski trip was injured while attempting a ski jump. The teacher lost control, fell and suffered a low back strain and a concussion. These injuries resulted in the teacher missing school and the district's experience-modification factor increasing.

Although the teacher volunteered to chaperone, it is a compensable injury because it was a school-sponsored event.

Parameters should be set by the district for hazardous activities like skiing in an effort to alleviate some risk. For example, at the very least, the teacher should have been restricted from doing ski jumps. It is in a district's best interest to prohibit teachers from engaging in any level of physical activity beyond the minimum required to adequately teach or coach the students. Active participation or "playing" the sport with the students, such as in floor hockey for example, should be prohibited.

Be sure to review the business risks before making decisions about out-of-the-ordinary activities for teachers and other staff.

Reduce injuries, prepare staff for non-routine tasks

Spring and summer projects often bring unexpected risks related to things like uncommon tools, unfamiliar equipment and unique projects. Custodians are often doing special construction and cleaning projects, and teachers are disassembling their rooms—all which are non-routine tasks.

Injuries are bound to happen when employees are doing non-routine tasks unless you take steps that prepare them.

Involve supervisors in planning projects
Supervisors and other staff should review past projects for success and accidents:

• Prevent repeat injuries. Do a workplace analysis and equipment inspections. Make sure all hazards have been identified and eliminated when possible.
• Make appropriate equipment available for the job. Don't overlook personal protective equipment.

Tell employees their responsibilities in safety.
Set your expectations up front.

• Train on the hazards before the job begins. Custodians moving furniture should consider stretching first and should use proper lifting techniques, for example.
• Lay out the timeline and have everyone agree to it. Rushing causes accidents.

Need help with employee training? Use SFM's online Resource Catalog for turn-key materials for assistance.

Get the help you need; call your SFM LP rep

Part of preparing for the changes that come in the summer months may include utilizing outside help from your SFM loss prevention representative.

Your SFM loss prevention rep can help with:

• Safety training
• Workplace analysis
• Project planning

Schedules fill fast. Contact your loss prevention representative soon to schedule a visit before the summer rush and risks.

Call (952) 838-4200 or email loss prevention.

Advice from SFM's

Coordinating laws
How FMLA and ADA come into play in a workers' compensation case

By Kathleen S. Bray
SFM Senior Defense Counsel,
Lynn Scharfenberg & Associates

When an employee suffers a work injury, that same injury may also satisfy the definition of a "serious health condition" under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and may satisfy the definition of a "disability" under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Coordination between workers' compensation, the ADA, and the FMLA raises many questions for employers.

Read more about several of the most common related issues.